Chapter 121 Information Warfare

The Amato Imperial Japan noble faction, led by Goudo, prepares for negotiations with the SU government.

Until the negotiations conclude, Dawson decides to temporarily suspend pirate operations.

Yet this period is not entirely idle.

"Ultimately, if we're influencing people unrelated to us—people who aren't pirates—then the negotiations won't be affected."

Dawson, with a calculating expression, requests cooperation from Oine and Bera.

"Helping isn't a problem."

"What are we doing~?"

"I intend to stir up the SU people slightly, to aid in completing my mission."

Dawson then reveals to Oine and the others an unexpected plan.

"Spread the rumor—on a rumor level—that the spatial jump ring is the root cause of SU's abandonment policy, targeting the poor and low-income populations within SU."

Is that all you’re saying—that the root of all evil lies in SU’s spatial distortion-type massive jump device, Heaven Hailou?

Even now, I think quite a few people already know that~?

To Oine and Bera’s question, Dawson declares he will add one more step.

“It’s not enough to merely know. Imprint the idea strongly. Let them destroy it with their own hands.”

“So you mean to destroy the spatial jump ring through rioting?”

“But that’s… kind of too big a task, don’t you think~?”

The spatial jump ring Heaven Hailou and the spatial jump ring Mino’rin are massive devices capable of instantly relocating an entire fleet.

Their scale is comparable to that of a celestial satellite.

It is easy to imagine that a mere riot by ordinary people could not destroy such a device.

Dawson understood the point, but he did not believe it was impossible.

"War is about numbers. The population living in SU is measured in trillions. If one percent of them rose in revolt, that would provide hundreds of millions of people. With that many hands, wouldn't it be possible to achieve anything?"

"Provided we could mobilize hundreds of millions to disrupt the spatial jump ring, yes, it would be feasible."

"But—can you really do something like that?"

Dawson nodded in agreement to the objection that it was purely theoretical. Oine and Bera stared at him in surprise.

"You just said it couldn't be done."

"Was that just a joke?"

"No. Not a joke. I mean to do it. But I don't expect results. Success would be a bonus."

Oine and Bera both tilted their heads, unable to understand Dawson's intent.

It's not strange. What we're doing is spreading plans that could trigger rumors and riots targeting Heaven Hailou. It takes some effort, but the payoff after success is destroying an S.U. critical facility. If the risk is low and the return high, then even with low odds, we should proceed."

The logic was sound. Oine understood the intent after a year of working together.

"...I get what you're saying, Dawson. I want to do it regardless of success or failure. That's just entertainment, right?"

Bera nodded in agreement with Oine's sarcastic tone.

"Ah~. Nothing to do makes time drag, y'know? Let's post info online, stir up a flame war, and have fun."

Dawson felt dissatisfied with Bera's way of agreeing. But the core idea was correct, so he did not argue.

A game that serves both practical purpose and entertainment—fine. Will you help with that?

There is no refusal from Oine if asked by Dawson.

Dawson is looking at her, then at the others. His expression does not change. He turns back to the display. The numbers continue to rise. He does not speak. He does not look away.

Thus, with two artificial intelligences borrowed, Dawson's bothersome pastime began.

What Dawson and the others did first was to inject information into the underground section of the information network spreading across the Orion Arm.

The item dropped was data on the spatial jump ring <>, contained within the warship.

This was merely a general schematic of moderate detail, sufficient only to fit within a warship's confines—no more than a rough outline, not a complete breakdown of every individual component.

The abandonment policy falsely labeled as an immigration policy by the S.U. government is now a heated topic.

As a key facility within the abandonment policy, information about Heaven Hailou quickly became a focal point.

'Quite detailed material. Where did this leak come from?' 'A dissatisfied officer. Or perhaps an old immigrant who fled back from a different star arm?' 'Could it be Ms. Muraga Funso?' 'Official reports say she died with the pirates.' 'Don't believe official reports. You idiots.'

Amid the chatter in the electronic forum, Dawson drops a verbal bomb.

'When you see data like this, don't you inevitably start thinking about how to breach it?'

A casual remark, offering a topic for idle conversation.

A few others agree.

'Ah, right, right.' 'Homes, office buildings, stuff like that.' 'You can't help but imagine breaking through them, can you?' 'You picture how you'd take down terrorists attacking that building.' 'What's the point of doing that?'

Dawson's remark split the conversation into 'that happens' and 'that doesn't happen,' leading to casual talk that gradually shifted toward how to breach Heaven Hailou.

'Understood—it's a massive facility. How big exactly?' 'I'll compare it to celestial bodies.' 'Quite large.' 'Heard it was built to outmaneuver even fortress-class carriers.' 'So it's larger than every existing fortress-class vessel?' 'If that's true, it's comparable to controlling an entire planet.' 'That's impossible, isn't it?'

The discussion was heading toward an impossibility when Dawson paused mid-sentence, adjusting the flow of conversation.

Someone had taken over Dawson’s role in the conversation.

“Heaven Hailou is indeed large. But its physical structure consists only of the outer ring. If separated and arranged, it would be smaller than a fortress-class vessel.”

Attached to the text was a processed video showing Heaven Hailou divided into eight equal segments, stacked vertically.

Viewing the image, the former magnitude of the ring appeared unreal, diminished.

“Moreover, Heaven Hailou functions as a spacetime distortion device. Considering maintenance, its internal structure is likely simplified. It should be easier to subdue than a fortress-class vessel.”

A strong argument. Other participants interjected with counterpoints.

Too detailed. Not something you’d think of on the spot. You already had the strategy for conquering Heaven Hailou before this topic even came up? Same person offering the topic? No. The attached ID doesn’t match. You’re just a pervert who gets carried away with conquest fantasies whenever you see a military facility.

The discussion was turning personal. Dawson inserted a post to redirect the conversation.

Is it really possible to conquer Heaven Hailou?

How exactly is that supposed to work, pervert? Please enlighten us, first-rate strategist of conquest fantasies (laugh).

A strange echo of the previous comment arrived. Then came a post from someone who seemed to have thought through a strategy.

Securing the facility is feasible with sufficient personnel. However, overcoming the defending fleet requires a specialist in military strategy. Personnel and specialists. The conclusion is that feasibility depends on having both.

Low-polygon 3D footage is displayed in sequence. At various points across Heaven Hailou, dozens of personnel-carrying spacecraft dock alongside, and from those points, large numbers of individuals breach the facility and achieve internal control.

A second clip of similar quality is projected. A large number of spacecraft charge toward the defensive fleet stationed at Heaven Hailou, attempting a breakthrough. However, they are all destroyed by coordinated fire from artillery and gun emplacements.

Viewing these clips, participants in the discussion begin to post comments.

‘If we just break through the fleet?’ ‘What’s the point of arming spacecraft?’ ‘You think pea shooters can damage battleships?’ ‘You’re bringing a battleship in?’ ‘You want to drag it from TR?’ ‘Didn’t we just hear about pirates raiding orbital habitats?’ ‘You’re dreaming too hard about pirates.’ ‘Heaven Hailou is a critical facility. It must have a large defending fleet.’

The discussion continued for a time, then gradually shifted focus to another topic.

Dawson observed the flow of conversation, then disengaged from the casual exchange.